Prix de Lausanne, the equivalent of the Olympics for young dancers, is a prestigious ballet competition known for making future ballet superstar recently announced their list of 81 finalists. One of the finalists and the only African American selected to participate at the Prix de Lausanne, Sydney Upchurch (age 15), is a talented young dancer from Cary Ballet. Under the keen direction of Mariaelena Ruiz (YAGP Finals Outstanding Teacher), Sydney will be competing against some of the most gifted and ferocious young dancers of the ballet world. She will be going up against the crème de la crème representing 17 countries from around the world. This year Prix de Lausanne selected 49 girls and 32 boys to contest for the coveted top prizes over the first week of February 2022.
Right before the selections were announced, Ashley Lorraine Baker was able to photograph Sydney in her hometown of Cary, North Carolina during rehearsal for Balanchine’s Serenade, staged by the one and only Suzanne Farrell.
Here is a quick interview with the beautiful young American ballerina:
Click the photo below to help Sydney get to Prix!
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